{Paris On The Brain}

the last few days i've had our time spent in paris on my mind.

it's such a magical city.

i only dream of returning someday.

until then, these spaces will do the trick.

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 so romantic, that city of love... *sigh*

xoxo

Inspiration in Store..

back in the day...ok, it was just like a year and a half ago, but it seems like ages, when i would walk home from Blow (the salon i used to work at) i always intentionally made sure this store, yumi kim, was on my route home. on the frigid winter nights, the bright cheeriness of this store somehow made the rest of the walk seem a bit less frigid. funny how good design can do that..

not only are the clothes here so gorgeous and strike that perfect summertime beach lounging in Cannes note, the actual store design is simply gorgeous. it's a perfect balance of fun, elegant, yet you don't feel like you aren't allowed to sit down on the furniture, or put a fingerprint on the glass tables. 

see what i mean?...

{check out the fun felt back on that chair! and the peacock wallpaper is so gorgeous in real life}

{love all the colors and layers of beautiful things}

{adore how bright and cheery this store is}

{check out that wallpaper! so pretty}

i wish i had a better picture of the peacock wallpaper...it's sorta what i was thinking HERE with the bird stencil...

if you fancy her clothes, you can check them out HERE

and if you live in the 'hood, you can stop by her store at 76th and 3rd ave.

xoxo

the ever chic novogratz...

{via pinterest}

last night was a night from a dream for me. you see, the other day on our way to work, viv and i stopped in cb2 to check out the new line the novogratz collaborated with cb2 to design. while there we saw this sign...

{the window display at cb2}

{the dining chair, and a rug from their new collection, as well as their newest book}

you see, the novogratz have been my favorite design team since i first discovered them a few years back. mr. w and i have been faithful viewers of their show (home by novogratz on hgtv) ever since. this nyc couple have perfected the art of blending modern and vintage, chic and eclectic, always adding something unexpected and fun to their designs. i love that none of their spaces are matchy-matchy. if ever i were able to work with any designers to create a space, it would be them.

can you tell how excited viv was? :)

{we had them sign our book to vivenne. major offered to sign it too, but since he can't spell his name yet, he drew her a picture. too cute :)}

 
i admire them not only for their fantastic design skills, but also for their amazing sense of family. you see, they have 7 kids! let me rephrase that, they have 7 well behaved, kind, respectful, beautiful children. we got to spend a little time with them last night as they all loved little viv, (who can blame them, she's pretty much the talk of the town, ya know :) ) all taking turns holding her and playing with her. major (the youngest novogratz) even bashfully planted a kiss on her! although who can blame him, that face just begs to be smooched!

{twins bellamy and tallulah novogratz}

{right after he went in for the smooch :)}

it's really wonderful to see a family in this crazy city who is living out their dreams, having fun doing it and who still values and loves family time. a rare occurrence in this city.

{love this}

{viv wanted this light}

here are some of my favorite looks they've created:

{sprawled on their family rug for cb2 via pinterest}

{my all-time favorite kitchen via housetohome}

{my second favorite kitchen ever via japanesetrash}

{lobby of the bungalow boutique hotel via japanesetrash}

{love the mix of fun colors and prints and unique pieces of furniture via pinterest}

{adore this girls room, so feminine but not kiddish. both via shed home}

{simple entry with eye catching pieces via pinterest}

{family lightboxes for cb2 via thenovogratz}

{how's about this ground level trampoline? how cool is that?! via debsphotographs}

{brilliant way to display photos without having tons of frames sitting everywhere via thenovogratz}

{striped stairs? why not? via hgtv}

thanks to the novogratz, i have gotten so many great ideas and realized my passion to someday buy a home that we can renovate to make our own modern eclectic  style. until then, i will simply continue reinventing our little apartment, making inspiration boards and dreaming of the homes to come, together as family...

xoxo